Method and system for operating a communication service portal

ABSTRACT

A method of providing communication service, includes receiving user identification information and first communication service criteria. The user identification information identifies a user, while the first communication service criteria describe a first communication service requested by the user. The method also includes generating a first communication service order based on the first communication service criteria. The first communication service order includes the user identification information and the communication service criteria; The method further includes selecting premise equipment for the user and generating an equipment order, wherein the equipment order includes the user identification information and identifies the selected premise equipment. Additionally, the method includes transmitting the first communication service order to a first service provider and transmitting the equipment order to an equipment provider.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to communication systems and, moreparticularly, to a system for consolidating setup, operation, andbilling for a plurality of communication services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technological advancements of recent years have made sophisticated anddiverse telecommunication systems, including voice over IP (VoIP)telephones and high-speed internet connections, practical options forfilling the voice and data communication needs of small-businesses andindependent professionals, such as doctors and attorneys. As pricescontinue to fall on communication systems and the complexity of suchsystems continues to increase, customer knowledge and understanding ofthe underlying components and services is becoming an increasinglysignificant barrier to new customers entering the telecommunicationsmarket. Additionally, because advanced telecommunication systems caninclude a diverse collection of components utilizing communicationservices from a number of different service providers, initiation ofservice can be an extremely time-consuming process for the end user.Moreover, the number of different components and service providers thatmust be integrated for an advanced telecommunication system can createsignificant problems with compatibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages and problemsassociated with communication systems have been substantially reduced oreliminated. In particular, a system and method are provided forinitiating communication service, billing a user for these services,and/or automatically configuring services locally and/or across adiverse network.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofproviding communication service includes receiving user identificationinformation and first communication service criteria. The useridentification information identifies a user, while the firstcommunication service criteria describe a packet-based communicationservice requested by the user. The method also includes generating afirst communication service order based on the first communicationservice criteria. The first communication service order includes theuser identification information and the communication service criteria.

The method further includes selecting premise equipment for the user andgenerating an equipment order, wherein the equipment order includes theuser identification information and identifies the selected premiseequipment. The premise equipment is capable of supporting packet-basedcommunication at a premise associated with the user. Additionally, themethod includes transmitting the first communication service order to afirst service provider and transmitting the equipment order to anequipment provider.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a systemfor providing communication services includes a fulfillment interface,first communication access equipment, an equipment provider interface,and a service node. The fulfillment interface is operable to receiveinformation from a user and to generate a service request that includesuser identification information and first communication servicecriteria. The user identification information identifies the user andthe first communication service criteria describe a packet-basedcommunication service requested by the user. The first communicationaccess equipment is operated by a communication service provider and isoperable to support communication for premise equipment over a firstnetwork and to establish service for a user in response to a serviceorder received by the communication service provider. Additionally, theequipment provider interface is capable of receiving an equipment orderand to facilitate the delivery of premise equipment identified by theequipment order to the user. The premise equipment is capable ofsupporting packet-based communication at a premise associated with theuser.

Furthermore, the service node is capable of receiving the servicerequest from the fulfillment interface and generating a firstcommunication service order based on the first communication servicecriteria. This first communication service order may include the useridentification information and the communication service criteria. Theuser identification information is also capable of selecting premiseequipment for the user and generate an equipment order that includes theuser identification information and identifies the selected premiseequipment. The service node is further capable of transmitting the firstcommunication service order to the first service provider andtransmitting the equipment order to the equipment provider through theequipment provider interface.

Important technical advantages of certain embodiments of the presentinvention include a simplified and streamlined process for users toinitiate communication services. Other important technical advantages ofcertain embodiments of the present invention include simplifying theprocess for installing communication equipment, consolidating bills forsome or all communication services utilized by users, reducingcompatibility problems within the communication system, and providingautomatic configuration of premise communication equipment even acrossdiverse networks. Other technical advantages of the present inventionwill be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingfigures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantageshave been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some,or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates components of a communication system according to aparticular embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the contents and operation of a service node utilizedin a particular embodiment of the communication system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a particular embodimentof the communication system in initiating communication services for auser;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating further operation of a particularembodiment of the communication system during installation of customerpremise equipment; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a particular embodimentof the communication system in billing a user for communication servicesprovided by the communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of a communication system 10that provides voice and/or data communication services to user 50 on oneor more networks. As shown, communication system 10 includes apublic-switched telephone network (PSTN) 24, an Internet 26, a broadbandconnection 98, premise equipment 52, a fulfillment interface 62, aninstallation service provider interface 82, an equipment providerinterface 72, a broadband service provider interface 92, and a trustserver 88. Communication system 10 also includes a service node 22 thatinitiates communication service for user 50 with telephone serviceproviders (TSPs) 30, internet service providers (ISPs) 40, and/orapplication service providers (ASPs), obtains premise equipment 52 foruser 50, supports communication service for user 50 over Internet 26and/or PSTN 24 using premise equipment 52, and bills user 50 forutilized communication services. As a result, service node 22 may, inparticular embodiments of communication system 10, provide astreamlined, integrated process for user to obtain and utilizecommunication services provided by various elements of communicationsystem 10.

Additionally, FIG. 1 illustrates various entities, including a user 50,a hosted solution provider (HSP) 20, a plurality of ISPs 40, a pluralityof TSPs 30, a plurality of application service providers (ASPs) 60, anequipment provider 70, an installation service provider 80, and abroadband service provider 90 that operate, possess, or controlparticular elements of communication system 10 or perform a particulartask according to an example configuration of communication system 10.Each entity is shown in FIG. 1 as dotted line boxes enclosing elementsof communication system 10 controlled by that entity. Although FIG. 1illustrates an example configuration of communication system 10 in whichparticular entities operate particular elements of communication system10, operation of the various elements of communication system 10 may bedistributed among these entities in any suitable manner. Moreover, anytwo or more of user 50, HSP 20, ISPs 40, TSPs 30, ASPs 60, installationservice provider 80, equipment provider 70, and broadband serviceprovider 90 may represent the same entity in a particular embodiment ofcommunication system 10.

According to the illustrated configuration, user 50 operates premiseequipment 52 and utilizes premise equipment 52 to receive communicationservices provided by communication system 10. In a particularembodiment, user 50 may represent a commercial or professional entity,such as a small business or a doctor's office, requiring support formultiple communication devices, shown as premise equipment 52. Ingeneral, user 50 may however represent any appropriate entity orindividual utilizing communication service of any type. Although FIG. 1shows, for the sake of simplicity, only a single user 50, particularembodiments of service node 22 may be configured to supportcommunication services for any appropriate number of users 50.

HSP 20 operates service node 22 and may, through service node 22 orindependently of service node 22, market communication services to users50, receive requests for communication services, order premise equipment52, initiate services for users 50, schedule installation services,provide additional professional services, bill user 50 for all servicesand products associated with communication system 10 that are receivedor utilized by user 50, and/or perform any other appropriate taskassociated with initiating and maintaining communication services foruser 50 on communication system 10. In a particular embodiment, HSP 20may purchase or lease service node 22 from an equipment manufacturer orretailer and contract service providers and/or broadband serviceprovider 90 to provide communication services to users 50 enlisted byHSP 20. As a result, HSP 20 may be responsible for providing a varietyof communication services to users 50 without directly owning oroperating any form of connection to PSTN 24 or Internet 26.

ISPs 40 each operate an instance of Internet access equipment 42providing user 50 access to Internet 26, and TSPs 30 each operate aninstance of PSTN access equipment 32 providing user 50 access to PSTN24. ISPs 40 and TSPs 30 may each represent a local exchange carrier(LEC) that owns a portion of PSTN, an entity renting telephones lines orother connectivity elements from an LEC, or any other suitable entitycapable of offering user 50 connection to PSTN 24 or Internet 26.

ASPs 60 each operate an application server 56 providing user 50 variouscommunication, professional, and/or other services in addition to thoseprovided by HSP 20, TSPs 30, and ISPs 40. ASPs 60 may represent anyappropriate parties that provide services to user 50 related to premiseequipment 52. For the purposes of this description, TSPs 30, ISPs 40,and ASPs 50 may be referred to collectively as “service providers.”

Broadband service provider 90 provides a broadband connection 98 betweenpremise equipment 52 and service node 22 based on a broadband serviceorder 94 received at broadband service provider interface 92. Broadbandconnection 98 may represent any appropriate connection capable ofsupporting broadband communication between premise equipment 52 andservice node 22 including, but not limited to landline, cable, andsatellite broadband connections. Moreover, in a particular embodiment,broadband service provider 90 represents the same entity as one of TSPs30, and broadband service provider 90 provides broadband connection 98over a portion of PSTN 24.

Equipment provider 70 provides premise equipment to user 50 based on anequipment order 74 received by equipment provider 70 at equipmentprovider interface 72. Equipment provider 70 may represent a retailer ofcommunication equipment, a manufacturer of such equipment, or any otherparty who may sell and/or deliver premise equipment to end users.Equipment provider 70 may sell, lease, or provide premise equipment 52to user 50 based on any other suitable arrangement between equipmentprovider 70, HSP 20, and/or user 50.

Installation service provider 80 installs premise equipment 52 at apremise designated by user 50 based on an installation service order 84received at installation service provider interface 82. Installationservice provider 80 may represent any appropriate party capable ofinstalling premise equipment 52 at the premise, performing anyappropriate configuration of premise equipment 52, and initiatingoperation of premise equipment 52.

With respect to the elements of communication system 10, service node 22may connect premise equipment 52 to PSTN access equipment 32 and/orInternet access equipment 42 to facilitate the use of communicationservices, provide communication or professional services to supplementthose provided by service providers, provide information on servicesoffered by HSP 20, generate bills for services and equipment utilized byuser 50, and/or provide any other appropriate functionality associatedwith communication network 10. FIG. 2 and the associated text belowillustrate the contents and operation of service node 22 in greaterdetail.

PSTN 24 may represent all or a portion of any suitable circuit-switchednetwork capable of supporting telephony service to premise equipment 52.More specifically, PSTN 24 may be operable to provide circuit-switchedtelephony service to premise equipment 52 through service node 22,including one or more of local, long distance, and internationaltelephone service. User 50 may couple to PSTN 24 for circuit-switchedcommunication through service node 22 and one or more instances of PSTNaccess equipment 32 operated by one or more TSPs 30.

PSTN access equipment 32 provides user 50 a connection to PSTN 24 usingequipment operated by or associated with a particular TSP 30. Eachinstance of PSTN access equipment 32 may include any appropriatesoftware and/or hardware to facilitate the connection of premiseequipment 52 to components of PSTN 24 through a connection provided by aparticular TSP 30, using equipment operated by that TSP 30. In theillustrated embodiment, PSTN access equipment 32 includes a gateway 36to packetize circuit-switched traffic destined for service node 22 andto convert packets received from service node 22 into circuit-switchedtraffic streams for transmission on PSTN 24. PSTN access equipment 32may authenticate users of premise equipment 52, authorize access toservices on PSTN 24, and/or monitor usage by premise equipment 52 of anycommunication services that utilize PSTN 24. Additionally, communicationsystem 10 may offer communication services provided by a plurality ofTSPs 30 each operating an instance of PSTN access equipment 32 throughwhich service node 22 may selectively and dynamically connect premiseequipment 52 to PSTN 24. Service node 22 may select a particular TSP 24to service user 50 based on services provided by a particular TSP 30,rates charged by a particular TSP, or any other appropriate criteria orconsideration. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment ofcommunication system 10 which includes PSTN access equipment 32 a-coperated by a local TSP 30 a, a long-distance TSP 30 b, and aninternational TSP 30 c providing, respectively, local, long-distance,and international telephone service.

Internet 26 may represent any suitable collection and arrangement ofcomponents providing packet-based communication services including, butnot limited to, data and/or voice communication. Although FIG. 1illustrates a particular embodiment of communication system 10 thatincludes Internet 26, communication system 10 may additionally oralternatively include any other type of public or privatepacket-switched network operable to support data and/or voicecommunication. While not explicitly shown, Internet 26 may includerouters, hubs, switches, gateways, connectivity elements, and/or anyother appropriate components in any suitable form or arrangement.

As illustrated, Internet 26 couples to one or more instances of Internetaccess equipment 42 operated by a particular ISP 40. Internet accessequipment 42 may include any appropriate software and/or hardware tofacilitate the connection of premise equipment 52 to Internet 26components through a connection provided by the associated ISP 40, usingequipment operated by that ISP 40. Internet access equipment 42 mayauthenticate users of premise equipment 52, authorize access to data andservices on Internet 26, and/or monitor usage by premise equipment 52 ofany communication services that utilize Internet 26.

Broadband connection 98 represents any suitable hardware and/or softwareappropriate for providing a broadband connection between premiseequipment 52 to service node 22. In the illustrated embodiment, servicenode 22 supports broadband communication through a portion of the PSTN.In such an embodiment, broadband connection 98 includes one or moredigital signal-0 (DS0) trunks connecting premise equipment 52 to servicenode 22. In alternative embodiments, service node 22 may providesatellite or cable broadband communication services to premise equipment52, and broadband connection 98 may include suitable components tosupport such services.

Application servers 56 provide additional communication services andother specialized functionality to premise equipment 52. Applicationservers 56 may provide any additional services appropriate to supplementcommunication services provided by HSP 20, TSPs 30 and ISPs 40, such asteleconferencing and webhosting. Application servers 56 may also providespecialized professional services and other suitable functionality thatuser 50 may access through premise equipment 52. Application servers 56may represent any appropriate combination of software and/or hardwaresuitable to provide the relevant services.

Premise equipment 52 represents any or all communication equipmentlocated at a premise of user 50 through which user 50 utilizescommunication services provided by service node 22. In the illustratedembodiment, premise equipment 52 includes a voice-enabled data appliance(VEDA) 100, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones 102, personalcomputers (PCs) 104, web servers 106, an automatic call distributor(ACD) 108, a voice appliance 110, facsimile machines 116, modem 114, andanalog telephones 112.

VEDA 100 supports packet-based communication between service node 22 andappropriately configured premise equipment 52 that user 50 may beoperating at the customer premise, such as VoIP telephones 102,networked PCs 104, web servers 106, and ACD 108, over broadbandconnection 98. VEDA 100 may include routers, switches, firewalls,traffic shaping, VPNs, etc., or any other appropriate combination ofcomponents for connecting any appropriate component of premise equipment52 to service node 22 and/or routing traffic destined for or transmittedby premise equipment 52 to an appropriate destination.

Voice appliance 110 supports communication, through VEDA 100 andbroadband connection 98, for premise equipment 52 that are configuredfor circuit-switched communication. Voice appliance 110 may packetizecircuit-switched communication streams generated by any such premiseequipment 52 and may convert packets received for such circuit-switchedcommunication equipment into a circuit-switched communication stream. Inthe illustrated embodiment, voice appliance 110 facilitatescommunication between service node 22 and circuit-switched premiseequipment 52, such as analog telephones 112 and facsimile machine 116.Additionally, voice appliance 110 may couple analog telephones 112 orother circuit-switched components of premise equipment 52 to a 911operator through a foreign exchange (FX) connection 118 to provide user50 of premise equipment 52 with access to E911 services apart frombroadband connection 98.

Fulfillment interface 62 receives information from user 50 definingcommunication services and/or premise equipment 52 requested by user 50,generates a service request 64 based on this information, andcommunicates service request 64 to service node 22. In a particularembodiment, fulfillment interface 62 represents a computer located at aretail vendor for premise equipment 52. In such an embodiment, user 50or an agent of the vendor may enter information defining requestedcommunication services and/or premise equipment 52 and fulfillmentinterface. Fulfillment interface 62 may then communicate thisinformation to service node 22 as an email message, as data entered intoa form on a webpage hosted by service node 22, or in any otherappropriate manner. In an alternative embodiment, fulfillment interface62 may represent a telephone and user 50 may communicate service request64 to service node 22 verbally or using the telephone keypad. Ingeneral, however, fulfillment interface 62 may represent any appropriatehardware and/or software for receiving and communicating informationdescribing communication services and/or premise equipment 52 requestedby user 50 to service node 22.

Installation service provider interface 82, equipment provider interface72, and broadband service provider interface 92 receive from servicenode 22 installation service order 84, equipment order 74, and broadbandservice order 94 defining, respectively, installation services, premiseequipment 52, and broadband connection 98 requested by or selected foruser 50. Installation service provider interface 82, equipment providerinterface 72, and broadband service provider interface 92 may representany appropriate collection of hardware and/or software to allowinstallation service provider 80, equipment provider 70, and broadbandservice provider 90 to receive the appropriate information. Examples ofinstallation service provider interface 82, equipment provider interface72, and broadband service provider interface 92 include, but are notlimited to, networked PCs, telephones, and facsimile machines.

Trust server 88 provides premise equipment 52 a trustworthy source ofinformation on the location of particular network elements followinginstallation. For example, one or more components of premise equipment52 may contact trust server 88 during installation, using a trustedaddress hardwired in that component, to obtain a network address orother location information for service node 22 or particular componentsof service node 22, such as a proxy server. Trust server 88 may beoperated by equipment provider 70, a manufacturer of premise equipment52, or any other appropriate entity. Trust server 88 may represent anyappropriate combination of hardware and/or software, includingcontrolling logic, suitable for providing the functionality describedbelow. Although FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of communication system10 in which service node 22 is configured to connect premise equipment52 to trust server 88 prior to authentication, alternative embodimentsof communication system 10 may include service nodes 22 that will notform any connections for premise equipment 52 until after service node22 has contacted trust server 88 and service node 22 has subsequentlyauthenticated premise equipment 52, as described below with respect toFIG. 4. Thus, in such embodiments, premise equipment 52 may use anotherconnection to trust server 88 to request and receive locationinformation for service node 22 and/or to authenticate premise equipment52 during installation.

In operation, user 50 transmits a service request 64 to service node 22from fulfillment interface 62. Service request 64 may represent anyappropriate form of communication based on the characteristics andconfiguration of fulfillment interface 62 and communication system 10.For example, in a particular embodiment, fulfillment interface 62represents a PC and may transmit service request to service node 22 aspart of an email, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) message, or anyother appropriate form of message. As another example, fulfillmentinterface 62 may represent a telephone and user 50 may communicateservice request 64 to service node 22 by placing a phone call to a humanor automated operator associated with service node 22.

Furthermore, service request 64 may include any suitable informationdescribing communication services and/or premise equipment 52 requestedby user 50 and any other appropriate information to be used to initiateservice of user 50. Service request 64 may specify particularcommunication services and/or premise equipment 52, such as a particularlong distance plan offered by a particular TSP 30, or may describecharacteristics, criteria, preferences, or requirements of communicationservices requested by user 50, such as by defining types of servicesrequested, quality of service (QoS) requirements for particularservices, or desired rates. Service request 64 may also provide useridentification information 66 that identifies user 50 and/or the premiseat which service is to be initiated. User identification information 66may include a name and/or other identifying information for user 50 or aparty responsible for paying for communication services provided to user50, a mailing address for the premise at which premise equipment 52 willbe installed, a billing address for user 50, a bank account maintainedby user 50, a current phone number for user 50, and/or any otherappropriate information for identifying user 50 and performing any othertasks associated with establishing service for user 50 such asauthenticating the identity of user 50, establishing the suitability ofthe designated premise for certain types of communication services, oracquiring the credit history of user 50. As illustrated, service request64 includes user identification information 66, equipment criteria 67,and one or more sets of communication service criteria 68 which aregenerated by fulfillment interface 62 based on information provided byuser 50.

Upon receiving service request 64, service node 22 generates one or moreorders to initiate communication services and/or installation servicesor obtain premise equipment 52 for user 50. As illustrated, service node22 generates broadband service order 94, telephone service order 34,Internet service order 44, installation service order 84, applicationorder 58, and equipment order 74 and transmits these orders toappropriate entities, as described below. In a particular embodiment ofcommunication system 10, however, service node 22 may generate andtransmit any, none, or all of these orders and may generate and transmitany appropriate alternative requests, based on the configuration ofcommunication system 10 and the services requested by user 50.

Service node 22 generates broadband service order 94 and transmitsbroadband service order 94 to broadband service provider 90 throughbroadband service provider interface 92. Broadband service order 94includes broadband service criteria 96, any or all of useridentification information 66, and any other suitable information.Broadband service criteria 96 includes any appropriate information foridentifying characteristics, requirements, or preferences for requestedbroadband connection 98 to connect user 50 to service node 22. In aparticular embodiment, broadband service criteria 96 specifies a numberof DS0 channels for broadband service provider 90 to provision for user50 based on requested services or on QoS, bandwidth, or other criteriaprovided in service request 64. In response to receiving broadbandservice order 94, broadband service provider 90 may establish an accountfor user 50, provision a requested number of DS0 channels for broadbandconnection 98, or complete any other appropriate task to allow premiseequipment 52 to connect to service node 22 through broadband connection98 following installation of premise equipment 52 at the designatedpremise in accordance with broadband service criteria 96. Broadbandservice provider 90 may also ship user 50 additional premise equipment52 associated with broadband service such as a broadband modem orrouter.

Service node 22 also generates equipment order 74 and transmitsequipment order 74 to equipment provider 70 through equipment providerinterface 72. As noted above, equipment provider interface 72 mayrepresent or comprise any components capable of receiving electronicinformation from service node 22 including, but not limited, telephones,facsimile machines, and PCs. Equipment order 74 includes equipmentcriteria 67, any or all of user identification information 66, and anyother suitable information. Equipment criteria 67 may represent anyappropriate information that may be used by equipment provider todetermine appropriate premise equipment 52 to provide user 50 and mayidentify specific equipment or specify characteristics, requirements, orpreferences for premise equipment 52 requested by user 50. In aparticular embodiment, equipment criteria 67 identifies a quantity ofparticular models of VoIP telephones 102, PCs 104, and/or VEDAs 100carried by equipment provider 70. In response to receiving equipmentorder 74, equipment provider 70 may establish an account for user 50,order requested premise equipment 52, retrieve the requested premiseequipment from inventory, ship the requested premise equipment 52 touser 50 or installation service provider 80, and/or complete any otherappropriate task to provide user 50 with premise equipment 52.

Service node 22 additionally generates one or more Internet serviceorders 44, telephone service orders 34, and/or application orders 58 andtransmits these orders to Internet access equipment 42, PSTN accessequipment 32, application servers 56 and/or other appropriate equipmentoperated by one or more ISPs 40, TSPs 30, or ASPs 60. Internet accessequipment 42 and PSTN access equipment 32 may include telephones,networked PCs, or other appropriate interfaces suitable to receive,respectively, internet service orders 44 and telephone service orders34. Additionally, application server 56 or other components operated byASPs 60 may be configured to accept application orders 58. Telephoneservice orders 34, Internet service orders 44, and application orders 58may include communication service criteria 68 for the receiving ISP 40,TSP 30, or ASP 60, any or all of user identification information 66, andany other appropriate suitable information.

Communication service criteria 68 may represent any appropriateinformation that may be used by the receiving TSP 30, ISP 40, or ASP 60to determine communication services requested by user 50 and mayidentify specific communication services, such as particular callingplans, Internet plans, or services offered by the receiving TSP 30, ISP40, or ASP 60 or may specify characteristics, requirements, orpreferences for services requested by user 50 from that TSP 30, ISP 40,or ASP 60, such as a communication service type (e.g. long distancetelephone, basic Internet connectivity), QoS requirements, rates, and/orusage limits for requested communication services. Additionally, if user50 requests more than one type of service offered by a particular TSP30, ISP 40, or ASP 60, a telephone service order 34, Internet serviceorder 44, or application order 58 transmitted to that TSP 30, ISP 40, orASP 60 may include multiple instances of communication service criteria68 with each instance providing information for a particularcommunication service or type of communication service requested by user50.

As an example, in a particular embodiment, service node 22 generates oneor more telephone service orders 34 containing, collectively, aninstance of communication service criteria 68 for each of local, longdistance, and international telephone service, and an Internet serviceorder 44 that includes communication service criteria for Internetservice. In response to receiving telephone service order 34, TSP 30establishes an account for user 50 and/or completes any otherappropriate task to initiate communication service for user 50 over PSTN24. Similarly, in response to receiving Internet service order 44, ISP40 establishes an account for user 50 and/or completes any otherappropriate task to initiate communication service for user 50 overInternet 26. Moreover, in response to receiving application order 58,ASP 60 establishes an account for user 50 and/or completes any otherappropriate task to provide additional service for user 50 onapplication servers 56.

Service node 22 also generates installation service order 84 andtransmits installation service order 84 to installation service provider80 through installation service provider interface 82. As noted above,installation service provider interface 82 may represent or comprise anycomponents capable of receiving electronically information from servicenode 22 including, but not limited, telephones, facsimile machines, andPCs. Installation service order 84 includes installation servicecriteria 76, any or all of user identification information 66, and anyother suitable information. Installation service criteria 76 mayrepresent any appropriate information that may be used by installationservice provider 80 to provide suitable installation services. In aparticular embodiment, installation service criteria 76 identifies oneor more premise equipment 52, one or more communication servicerequested by user 50, and a date by which all appropriate entities willhave completed account setup and any other appropriate preliminarytasks. In response to receiving installation service order 84, equipmentprovider 70 establishes an account for user 50, contacts user 50 and/orHSP 20 to schedule installation, contacts equipment provider 70 toarrange delivery premise equipment 52, and/or completes any otherappropriate task to facilitate the provision of installation services.

After all appropriate accounts have been established for user 50,premise equipment 52 has been delivered to user 50 or installationservice provider 80, and/or any other appropriate preliminary tasks havebeen performed by the relevant entities, installation service provider80 performs installation services at the designated premise based, atleast in part, on information included in installation service order 84.The performed installation services may include connecting individualcomponents of premise equipment 52 to one another, coupling appropriatepremise equipment 52 to broadband connection 98, registering withservice node 22 or other components of communication system 10,activating accounts with ISPs 40, TSPs 30, ASPs 60, or HSP 20,initializing premise equipment 52, and/or any other appropriate tasksrelated to configuring premise equipment 52 and other components ofcommunication system 10 to initiate communication service for user 50.FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail an example installation processthat may be used to install certain types of premise equipment 52 inparticular embodiments of communication system 10. Once premiseequipment 52 has been installed, user 50 may begin utilizingcommunication services provided by ISPs 40, TSPs 30, ASPs 60, and HSP20. While active, service node 22 may couple user 50 to predeterminedservice providers to utilize various communication services or may,whenever user 50 requests communication services, select from aplurality of available service providers based on rates, QoS, or anyother appropriate criteria.

As a result of the described process for requesting and initiatingcommunication service, particular embodiments of communication system 10may provide a streamlined and simple process by which user 50 can obtaincommunication services. Additionally, by initiating multiple servicesand ordering premise equipment 52 based on service request 64,communication system 10 may by able to reduce the amount of time user 50must commit to initiating the desired services, reduce errors fromrepeated and redundant entry of information by the various entities, andlimit the amount of knowledge required on the part of user 50 toeffectively initiate desired communication services. Furthermore, byconsolidating the service initiation process and reducing or eliminatingany need for user 50 to independently interact with the multipleentities, particular embodiments may ensure that premise equipment 52and various communication services provided to user 50 are allcompatible and/or optimally matched.

Additionally, in particular embodiments of communication system 10,service node 22 may also support billing functionality for communicationservices and other services utilized by user 50. In such an embodiment,service node 22 may receive billing information 150 from one or moreelements of communication system 10 or one or more entities. AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates, for purpose of example, an embodiment ofcommunication system 10 in which service node 22 receives billinginformation from each of TSPs 30, ISPs 40, ASPs 60, installation serviceprovider 80, equipment provider 70, and broadband service provider 90,in a particular embodiment of communication system 10 in which servicenode 22 supports billing functions, service node 22 may receive billinginformation from any one or more entities controlling elements ofcommunication system 10.

Billing information 150 includes information to be used in calculatingan amount user 50 is to be charged for services or equipment provided bythe relevant entity. Billing information 150 may be generated by theappropriate entities and transmitted to service node 22 at appropriateintervals or as a one-time occurrence. Additionally, billing information150 may include information specific to user 50, such as minutes oflong-distance service utilized by user 50, and/or information pertainingto multiple or all customers of the relevant entity, such as rateinformation associated with particular types of service provided by thatentity. For example, service node 22 may receive, once or periodically,rate tables for various types of phone calls from one or more TSPs 30.Service node 22 may store these rate tables in memory 280 of FIG. 2.Service node 22 may also periodically receive from the same TSP 30 orTSPs 30 usage information for user 50, such as minutes of long-distanceservice used by user 50, and may calculate an amount owed by user 50based on both the rate tables and the usage information. In general,however, billing information may include any appropriate information tobe used in calculating an amount user 50 is to be charged for any one ormore services provided by communication service or equipment utilized byuser 50.

For example, in a particular embodiment, equipment provider 70 transmitsbilling information 150a to service node 22 that specifies periodicleasing charges for premise equipment 52. Installation service provider80 transmits billing information 150 b for initial installationservices, maintenance, and/or support services provided by installationservice provider 80. Broadband service provider 90 transmits billinginformation 150 c and one or more ISPs 40 transmit billing information150 d that specifies a flat-rate periodic fee for broadband and Internetconnectivity, respectively. Additionally, in this example, each TSP 30transmits billing information 150 e that includes one or more ratetables specifying pricing information for particular types of callssupported by that TSP and periodically transmits billing information 150f that specifies an aggregate amount of time which user 50 utilizedtelephone services provided by that TSP 30 to make calls of each of thevarious types defined by the rate tables. Also, if appropriate, one ormore ASPs 60 may transmit billing information 150 g that specifies feesfor services provided by those ASP 60.

After receiving billing information 150 from appropriate entities or atany other appropriate time, service node 22 or HSP 20 may charge user 50a total amount owed by user 50 for premise equipment 52, installationservices, communication services, or other appropriate services orequipment provided to user 50. This total amount may also includecharges for use of services provided by service node 22 itself. For thepurposes of this description, service node 22 may “charge” user 50 thetotal amount by generating a bill or invoice indicating the total amountowed, deducting the total amount from an account maintained by user 50(for example, from a debit-card account associated with user 50),charging the total amount to a credit account maintained by user 50 (forexample, to a credit card account associated with user 50), orcompleting any other appropriate action, step, or process to indicate touser 50 or other appropriate parties the total amount owed by user 50and/or to collect the total amount from user 50 or other appropriateparties. For example, in particular embodiments, service node 22 maygenerate a consolidated bill 28 that indicates the total amount. Aftergenerating consolidated bill 28, service node 22, in particularembodiments, may additionally transmit consolidated bill 28 to user 50,for example, as part of an email message.

In a particular embodiment, service node 22 may receive billinginformation from all entities associated with communication system 10for all services and equipment provided to user 50 in connection withthe operation of communication system 10. Thus, user 50 may receive asingle bill for all charges. As a result, service node 22 may furthersimplify use of communication system 10 for user 50. Furthermore, thesebilling features may allow HSP 20 to act as a sole point of contact forall billing issues for user 50, simplifying operations for the variousentities providing equipment and services to user 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in greater detail, contents and operation of servicenode 22 according to a particular embodiment. Service node 22 may beoperable to initiate communication service for user 50 by requestingaccount setup from ISPs 40, TSPs 30, and ASPs 60, premise equipment 52from equipment provider 70, and installation services from installationservice provider 80, bill user 50 for communication services provided byISPs 40, TSPs 30, and ASPs 60, and provide additional professionalservices that user 50 may access through premise equipment 52. Asillustrated, service node 22 includes a branding server 210, afulfillment engine 220, a billing server 230, portal connectivityequipment 200, one or more portal application servers 260, a processor270, and a memory 280. Additionally, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment ofservice node 22 that supports session initiation protocol (SIP) controlsignaling. As a result, service node 22, as illustrated, also includesSIP registrar 240 and SIP proxy 242.

Each of branding server 210, fulfillment engine 220, SIP registrar 240,SIP proxy 242, billing server 230, portal connectivity equipment 200,and portal application servers 260 may include any suitable combinationof software and/or hardware, including appropriate control logic, forproviding the functionality described below. Although FIG. 2 illustrateseach of branding server 210, fulfillment engine 220, SIP registrar 240,SIP proxy 242, billing server 230, portal connectivity equipment 200,and portal application server 260 as a separate element of service node22, any one or more of these elements may, where appropriate,incorporate a portion or all of any other one or more of these elements.As illustrated, branding server 210, fulfillment engine 220, SIPregistrar 240, SIP proxy 242, billing server 230, portal connectivityequipment 200, and portal application server 260 represent softwareprocesses running on one or more processors, shown collectively asprocessor 270. Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, service node 22encloses all of branding server 210, fulfillment engine 220, SIPregistrar 240, SIP proxy 242, billing server 230, portal connectivityequipment 200, and portal application server 260 in a single housing190, as shown in FIG. 2. Service node 22 may, however, represent anysuitable number of physically discrete components located in a singlelocation or dispersed, as appropriate, throughout communication system10.

Branding server 210 provides information describing communicationservices and/or premise equipment 52 offered or supported by servicenode 22. In a particular embodiment, branding server 210 represents asoftware process running on a web server at service node 22 and hosts awebsite that provides potential users 50 with information on servicesand equipment that service node 22 or communication system 10 canprovide. Branding server 210 may generate and/or transmit anyappropriate information pertaining to communication services and/orpremise equipment supported by service node 22 including, but notlimited to, features of supported communication services, service rates,equipment costs, terms of service for supported communication services,and or contact information for HSP 20.

Fulfillment engine 220 receives service request 64 from user 50 andfacilitates setup and initiation of communication services to user 50 bytransmitting additional orders to appropriate entities of communicationsystem 10 based on information included in service request 64, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 1. Fulfillment engine 220 mayreceive service request 64 from fulfillment interface 62 in anyappropriate manner. For example, in a particular embodiment, fulfillmentinterface 62 may represent a telephone through which user 50 or anotherparty provides information defining communication services and/orpremise equipment 52 requested by user 50. In such an embodiment,fulfillment interface 62 may include or couple to an automatic calldistributor (ACD) that receives service request 64 as verbal informationor as dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals and transmits suchinformation in an appropriate form to appropriate components offulfillment engine 220. In an alternative embodiment, fulfillmentinterface 62 represents a PC and fulfillment engine 220 represents asoftware application running on a web server accessible by this PC. Insuch an embodiment, user 50 may be able to enter information specifyingrequested communication services and/or premise equipment 52 using akeyboard or other components of the PC. Fulfillment interface 62 maythen generate service request 64 based on this information and transmitservice request 64 as part of an email or an HTTP message to fulfillmentinterface 220. Similarly, fulfillment engine may transmit the variousorders to appropriate interfaces in any suitable manner, based on theconfiguration of the relevant interfaces.

Billing server 230 receives billing information 150 from Internet accessequipment 42, PSTN connection equipment 32, and/or the associated ISP40, TSPs 30, or ASPs 60 and generates consolidated bill 28 based, atleast in part, on billing information 150 received from these entities.Billing server 230 may also receive billing information 150 frominstallation service provider 80 and equipment provider 70 and generateconsolidated bill 28 based, at least in part, on billing information 150received from these entities, as well. As described in greater detailbelow, billing information 150 may identify any suitable information tobe used in calculating an amount user 50 is to be charged includingservice usage information for user 50, service rate information, usagequotas for user 50, equipment rental rates, and/or any other appropriateinformation pertaining to charges, fees, or other amounts to be chargeduser 50. Billing server 230 may then generate a consolidated bill 28based on all billing information 150 received by billing server 230. Ina particular embodiment, billing server 230 may also transmit theconsolidated bill 28 to user 50, for example, as part of an emailmessage.

Portal connectivity equipment 200 provides an interface allowing servicenode 22 to communicate with premise equipment 52, Internet accessequipment 42, PSTN access equipment 32, fulfillment interface 62, and/orother components of communication system 10. Additionally, portalconnectivity equipment 200 couples premise equipment 52 to PSTN 24and/or Internet 26 and routes traffic to and from premise equipment 52through broadband connection 98. Portal connectivity equipment 200 mayinclude any suitable combination of hubs, routers, switches, bridges,and/or any other appropriate connectivity or routing components. Portalconnectivity equipment 200 may also include appropriate components forauthenticating users of service node 22, authorize access to Internetaccess equipment 42 and/or PSTN access equipment 32, and/or monitorusage of other services provided by service node 22. As used in thisdescription, “portal connectivity equipment 200” may refer genericallyto both components through which service node 22 connects premiseequipment 52 to PSTN 24 or Intern 26 and/or components through whichportal connects to premise equipment 52 or other elements ofcommunication system 10 for other purposes (such as for transmittingconsolidated bill 28 or receiving service request 64).

Portal application servers 260 provide additional communication servicesand other specialized functionality to premise equipment 52. Portalapplication servers 260 may provide any additional services appropriateto supplement communication services provided by ISPs 40, TSPs 30, andASPs 60, such as teleconferencing and webhosting. Portal applicationservers 260 may also provide specialized professional services and othersuitable functionality that user 50 may access through premise equipment52.

As one example, portal application server 260 may include appropriatesoftware and/or hardware for medical transcription allowing user 50 tocontact portal application server 260 using VoIP telephone 102 anddictate information to be transcribed and delivered to user 50. Asanother example, portal application server 260 may include appropriatesoftware and/or hardware to accept and/or execute requests for legalresearch. As yet another example, portal application server 260 mayinclude appropriate software and/or hardware to perform appointmentscheduling allowing clients or patients of user 50 to contact servicenode 22 by phone or PC and schedule an appointment with user 50. Ingeneral, however, portal application server 260 may include suitablecomponents to provide any appropriate communication services tosupplement those provided by ISPs 40, TSPs 30, and ASPs 60 and toprovide any other suitable services or functionality that user 50 mayaccess through premise equipment 52.

SIP registrar 240 registers the address, identity and/or location ofSIP-enabled premise equipment 52 during installation of premiseequipment 52 and provides this location to components of communicationsystem 10 when suitable to facilitate communication between premiseequipment 52 and other components of communication system 10. SIP proxy242 receives SIP messages from premise equipment 52 and forwards thesemessages, as appropriate, to SIP proxies or other suitable servers inPSTN access equipment 32 and Internet access equipment 42 to initiatecommunication sessions between premise equipment and equipment coupledto PSTN 24 or Internet 26. SIP proxy 242 may provide functions such asauthentication, authorization, network access control, addresstranslation, routing, request retransmission, and security. As notedabove, FIG. 2 illustrates, for purposes of illustration, a particularembodiment of service node 22 that supports SIP control signaling.Alternative embodiments of service node 22 may substitute othercomponents for SIP registrar 240 and SIP proxy 242 to supportappropriate signaling functionality based on the requirements of anysuch protocols supported by service node 22.

Processor 270 may be a general purpose computer, dedicatedmicroprocessor, or other processing device capable of processingelectronic information. Examples of processor 270 includeapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs) and any othersuitable specific or general purpose processors. Although FIG. 2illustrates a particular embodiment of service node 22 that includes asingle processor 270, service node 22 may include any suitable number ofprocessors 270. This description uses the term “processor 270” to referto any such processing device or processing devices within service node22, coupled to service node 22, or otherwise accessible by service node22. Thus, any two references to “processor 270” in this description mayor may not refer to the same physical device depending on theconfiguration and contents of a particular embodiment of service node22. As a result, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of service node 22 inwhich all such processing elements are shown collectively as processor270. Furthermore, processors 270 may be located in a single location orwithin a single component, or may be distributed among multiplelocations or components within communication system 10.

Memory 280 may comprise any collection and arrangement of volatile ornon-volatile, local or remote devices suitable for storing data, such asfor example random access memory (RAM) devices, read only memory (ROM)devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any othersuitable data storage devices. The description below uses the term“memory 280” to refer to any such memory device or memory devices withinservice node 22, coupled to service node 22, or otherwise accessible byservice node 22. Thus, any two references to “memory 280” in thisdescription may or may not refer to the same physical device dependingon the configuration and contents of a particular embodiment of servicenode 22. As a result, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of service node22 in which all such memory devices are shown collectively as memory280. Furthermore, memory 280 may be located in a single location orwithin a single component, or may be distributed among multiplelocations or components within communication system 10 In operation,service node 22 may be responsible for initiating service for user 50with ISPs 40, TSPs 30, and ASPs 60, billing user 50 for any servicesprovided by these service providers, and providing additionalcommunication, professional, or other services. With respect toinitiating communication services, service node 22 may receive servicerequest 64 from fulfillment interface 62 and generate one or more ordersto service providers and/or equipment provider 70 to fulfill servicerequest 64. In particular, fulfillment engine 220 receives servicerequest 64 which specifies services and/or equipment requested by user50 and/or describes criteria, requirements, or preferences for servicesor equipment requested by user 50. Based on service request 64,fulfillment engine 220 generates one or more service orders and, ifappropriate, equipment order 74 and transmits these orders toappropriate entities, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

In response to the orders, one or more of TSPs 30, ISPs 40, and/or ASPs60 establish an account for user 50 based on telephone service orders34, Internet service orders 44, and application orders 58 or completeany other appropriate steps to initiate or reject the requestedcommunication services for user 50. Additionally, equipment provider 70may deliver, or make available for pickup, appropriate premise equipment52 to user 50.

Once any appropriate setup has been completed by TSPs 30, ISPs 40, ASPs60 and broadband service provider 90 and once user 50 has, ifappropriate, obtained premise equipment 52 from equipment provider 70,installation service provider 80 may perform installation services atthe premise at which premise equipment 52 is to be installed. Thepreliminary setup of service with TSPs 30, ISPs 40, and ASPs 60initiated by service node 22, as described above, may allow installationservice provider 80 to perform setup at the premise using a streamlinedinstallation process that is simple and time-efficient. FIG. 4 and theassociated text describe an example installation process in greaterdetail.

After premise equipment 52 has been installed and is operational,service node 22 may also provide functionality to support communicationservices provided by ISPs 40, TSPs 30, and ASPs 60. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, service node 22 supports SIP control signalingand includes SIP registrar 240 and SIP proxy 242. During installation,premise equipment 52 may register with SIP registrar 240 and obtain anaddress for SIP proxy 242 of service node 22, as described below withrespect to FIG. 4. Once premise equipment 52 has obtained an address forSIP proxy 242, premise equipment may initiate, support, and terminatecommunication sessions with other devices over PSTN 24 or Internet 26using SIP messages transmitted to SIP proxy 242 and forwarded by SIPproxy 242 to appropriate components of communication system 10.

As noted above, once premise equipment 52 is installed, service node 22may also provide additional services to user 50 using portal applicationserver 260. Thus, user 50 may access portal application server 260 toutilize web hosting, teleconferencing, or other communication services,and/or transcription, research, scheduling or other miscellaneousservices. Portal application server 260 may also monitor usage of suchservices and transmit billing information 150 associated use of theseservices by user 50 to billing server 230.

Furthermore, once premise equipment 52 is installed and operational,service node 22 may be capable of generating consolidated bill 28 forcommunication services, installation services, other additionalservices, and premise equipment 52 utilized by user 50. In particular,billing server 230 may receive, at appropriate times, billinginformation 150 from ISPs 40, TSPs 30, ASPs 60, broadband serviceprovider 90, installation service provider 80, and equipment provider 70specifying amounts to be charged user 50. Billing server 230 may receivebilling information 150 from appropriate entities as a one-timeoccurrence or as a periodic event. After receiving billing information150, or at any other appropriate time, billing server 230 generatesconsolidated bill 28 which includes all, or an appropriate subset of,charges to be billed to user 50. In particular embodiments, billingserver 230 may then transmit consolidated bill 28 to user 50, forexample, as part of an email message. An example operation of billingserver 230 in generating consolidated bill 28 is illustrated in FIG. 5and the associated text below.

Thus, particular embodiments of service node 22 may provide user 50 astreamlined and simplified process for initiating, using, and paying forcommunication services and other services provided by communicationsystem 10. Additionally, because the components of service node 22 may,in particular embodiments, be enclosed in a single housing 190, servicenode 22 may be sold as a single component that may be purchased andoperated by a HSP 20 with limited expertise. This may furthermore resultin very flexible, optimized relationships between the various entitieswith HSP 20 focusing on marketing and initiating communication servicesand billing user 50 for communication services, while the variousservice providers may then allowed to focus on optimizing servicesprovided, maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, and other technicalconcerns.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a particular embodimentof the communication system in initiating communication services foruser 50. The process begins with HSP 20, an ISP 40, a TSP 30, an ASP 60,an equipment provider 70, an installation service provider 80, abroadband service provider 90, or any other suitable party interviewsuser 50 to determine communication services and premise equipment 52requested by the user, and other criteria for communication services tobe provided to user 50. Alternatively, user 50 can provide thisinformation independently by completing a form on a webpage, byanswering questions presented by an automated telephone system, or inany other appropriate manner. At step 300, service node 22 receivesservice request 64 from user 50 through fulfillment interface 62.Although service request 64 may include user identification information66, equipment criteria 67, one or more communication service criteria68, broadband service criteria 96, and/or any other appropriateinformation, in this example service request 64 is assumed to includeuser identification information 66, equipment criteria 67, and aplurality of communication service criteria 68.

At step 310, service node 22 selects premise equipment 52 for user 50based on equipment criteria 67 in service request 64. In alternativeembodiments, equipment criteria 67 may be omitted from service request64, and service node 22 may instead select premise equipment 52 based oncommunication service criteria 68 and/or other appropriate information.At step 320, service node 22 generates equipment order 74. Equipmentorder 74 includes user identification information 66 and specifies thepremise equipment 52 selected by service node 22. Service node 22transmits equipment order to equipment provider 70 at step 330.

Service node 22 then selects a first service provider based on firstcommunication service criteria 68. In the illustrated example, firstcommunication service criteria 68 is assumed to specify criteria forrequested local telephone service. Thus, at step 340, service node 22selects a particular TSP 30 based on first communication servicecriteria 68. Service node 22 generates first telephone service order 34that includes user identification information 66 and that may specifycommunication services request of the first TSP 30 by user 50 at step350. In this example, first telephone service order 34 specifies thatuser 50 is requesting local telephone service from the first TSP 30. Atstep 360, service node 22 transmits first telephone service order 34 tothe selected first TSP 30.

Service node 22 then determines whether service request 64 includes anyadditional communication service criteria 68 at step 370. If so, servicenode 22 may return to step 340 to repeat steps 340-360 for additionalcommunication service criteria 68. For example, service node 22 mayselect a second service provider to for requested long-distancetelephone service, generate a second telephone service order thatspecifies communication services request of the second service providerand transmit the second telephone service order 34 to the selectedservice provider.

At step 380, service node 22 generates an installation service order 84that specifies installation services to be performed at the designatedpremise at which user 50 will be using premise equipment 52. Servicenode 22 transmits installation service order 84 to installation serviceprovider 80 at step 390. Once user 50 has received premise equipment 52,installation service provider 80 may install premise equipment 52 at thedesignated premise and attempt to register premise equipment 52 withservice node 22. At step 400, service node 22 registers premiseequipment 52 and may begin servicing premise equipment 52. Although FIG.3 illustrates an example of the operation of communication system 10 ininitiating service for user 50, particular embodiments of communicationsystem 10 may include any, all, or none of the described steps.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating in greater detail a process forinstalling premise equipment 52. In particular, FIG. 4 illustratesinstallation of premise equipment for use with a particular embodimentof communication system 10 that supports SIP. Although the illustratedmethod focuses, for the sake of simplicity, on the installation of VEDA100, this method may be used on any appropriate form of premiseequipment 52.

In the described embodiment of communication system 10, VEDA 100 ishardcoded with an IP or other suitable form of address for trust server88 that is assumed to be unchanging. This address is referred to as a“trusted address.” Additionally, VEDA 100 stores a MAC address or otherform of identifier uniquely identifying VEDA 100. Furthermore, althoughthe following description assumes that installation is performed byinstallation service provider 80, as noted above, user 50 or any otherappropriate entity may alternatively perform the installation of premiseequipment 52.

At step 410, installation service provider 80 couples VEDA 100 tobroadband connection 98. Installation service provider 80 connects VEDA100 to a power source at step 420. At step 430, installation serviceprovider 80 turns on VEDA 100.

As part of or following bootup, VEDA 100 contacts trust server 88, atstep 440, using the trusted address stored in VEDA 100.440→470-490→450-460. Trust server 88 transmits to VEDA 100 informationspecifying the address or other identifying properties of an appropriateservice node 22 for VEDA 100 at step 450. Trust server 88 may alsotransmit to VEDA 100 information to allow the relevant service node 22to authenticate VEDA 100, such as an authentication certificate thatincludes a digital signature associated with trust server 88. VEDA thentransmits the authentication certificate, the MAC address, and/or otherauthenticating information to service node 22 at step 460. At step 470,service node 22 determines whether VEDA 100 is authentic based on theauthentication certificate, the MAC address, and/or other authenticatinginformation transmitted by VEDA 100 and information stored by servicenode 22. In a particular embodiment, authentication is performed by SIPregistrar 240. If service node 22 is not able to successfullyauthenticate VEDA 100, service node 22 may take any appropriate securitymeasures and the installation process ends unsuccessfully at step 530.

At step 480, VEDA 100 communicates a unique identifier associated withthe customer and VEDA 100, such as a serial number or contract number,with this particular VEDA 100 and stored in VEDA 100 to trust server 88.Trust server 88 determines whether VEDA 100 is authentic based on theMAC address transmitted by VEDA 100 and information stored by trustserver 88 at step 490. In a particular embodiment, trust server 88 isoperated by a particular manufacturer of premise equipment 52 and trustserver 88 stores MAC addresses for all premise equipment 52 made by thatmanufacturer. If VEDA 100 is not authentic, trust server may take anyappropriate security measures and the installation process endsunsuccessfully at step 530.

If service node 22 and trust server 88 successfully authenticate VEDA100, SIP registrar 240 or other appropriate components of service node22 register the address, identify and/or location of VEDA 100 and/orother premise equipment 52 coupled to VEDA 100 at step 500. SIPregistrar 240 or other appropriate components of service node 22transmit an address for SIP proxy 242 to VEDA 100 and/or other premiseequipment 52 coupled to VEDA 100 at step 510. Additionally, appropriatecomponents of service node 22 may, at step 520, transmit firmwareupdates or other suitable configuration information to VEDA 100 and/orother premise equipment 52 coupled to VEDA 100. This configurationinformation may include a dial plan, such as one or more phone numbersHSP 20 assigns to that VEDA 100. The installation process endssuccessfully at step 530 and user 50 may utilize communication servicessupported by service node 22.

FIG. 5 illustrates operation of a particular embodiment of service node22 in generating consolidated bill 28. More specifically, in thedescribed embodiment of communication system 10, billing server 230receives a variety of different types of billing information 150 from aplurality of elements of communication system 10 for amounts to becharged to user 50. Billing server 230 determines a total charge foruser 50 based on all billing information 150 received by billing server230. Although billing server 230, in this example, receives severalparticular types of billing information 230, in a particular embodimentof communication system 10, billing server 230 may receive none, some,or all of the described billing information 150 and/or any othersuitable forms of billing information 150.

At step 600, in the embodiment of communication system 10 described byFIG. 5, billing server 230 receives service rates from TSP 30 or ISP 40in billing information 150. Service rates may specify a per usage chargeassociated with a particular type of service provided by that serviceprovider. The service rates may specify the per usage charge in anyappropriate manner using any suitable units. In the describedembodiment, service rates represent a per minute charge for a particulartype of communication service offered by the relevant service provider.

Additionally, the service rate may be transmitted to billing server 230as billing information 150 in any suitable format and/or structured inany appropriate manner. In the described embodiment, billing server 230receives a rate table from a service provider that includes rateinformation for a plurality of different types of communication servicesoffered by the relevant service provider. As one example, the rate tablemay include rates for each of local telephone service, long-distancetelephone service, and international telephone service. As anotherexample, the rate table may include separate service rates for telephoneservice, including any or all of local, long-distance, and,international telephone service, and Internet connectivity service. Ingeneral, billing server 230 may receive service rates associated withany appropriate type or classification for communication servicesoffered by the relevant service provider.

At step 610, billing server 230 receives usage information from the sameservice provider. The usage information specifies an amount of aparticular type of service that was used by a particular user 50. Theusage information may specify this amount in any appropriate mannerusing any suitable units. For example, the usage information may specifyan amount of time the user 50 utilized a particular service. In aparticular embodiment, usage information represents a total number ofminutes user 50 used a particular communication service provided by theservice provider.

At step 620, billing server 230 determines a first communication servicecharge for the user based on the first service rate and the first usageamount. In a particular embodiment, billing server 230 determines thefirst communication service charge by multiplying the value of the usageinformation for a particular communication service by the service ratefor that particular communication service as provided by the relevantservice provider. At step 630, billing server 230 may determine whetheruser 50 has used other services and, if so, may return to step 600repeat steps 600-620 and determine additional communication servicecharges for other types of communication service provided by the sameservice provider. Once billing server 230 has completed calculating allcommunication service charges accrued by user 50 for communicationservices provided by the first service provider, billing server 230 may,at step 640 determine whether other communication service providers haveprovided communication services to user 50 and, if so, may return tostep 600 to repeat steps 600-640 to calculate communication servicecharges for additional communication service providers.

At step 650, billing server 230 receives an equipment charge fromequipment provider 70. In a particular embodiment, the equipment chargerepresents an amount to be charged user 50 for premise equipment 52provided to user 50. At step 660, billing server 252 receives aninstallation service charge for user 50 from installation serviceprovider 80. The installation service charge may represent an amount tobe charged user 50 for installation services associated with premiseequipment 52 possessed or utilized by user 50. At step 670, billingserver 230 receives a broadband connection charge for user 50 frombroadband connection provider 90. The broadband connection charge mayrepresent an amount to be charged user 50 for a broadband connection 98that couples premise equipment 52 utilized operated by user 50 to one ormore service providers 30 or 40. At step 680, billing server 230receives application charges from one or more ASP 60 that specifyperiodic or per-transaction charges for services provided by ASPs 60.

At step 690, billing server 230 calculates a total charge to be billedto user 50. Billing server 230 may calculate this total charge based onone or more communication service charges, the equipment charge, theinstallation service charge, the broadband connection charge, theapplication charges, and the equipment charge, as appropriate based onthe service and equipment requested and/or used by user 50. Aftercalculating the total charge, billing server 230 charges user 50 thetotal amount. In particular embodiments, billing server 230 may chargeuser 50 by generating consolidated bill 28 which includes the totalcharge, at step 700. At step 710, billing server 230 may also transmitconsolidated bill 28 to user 50 or may initiate and/or facilitate thedelivery of consolidated bill 28 to user 50. As one example, billingserver 230 may transmit consolidated bill 28 to user 50 as part of anemail message. As another example, billing server 230 may initiate thedelivery of consolidated bill 28 by printing a consolidated bill 28and/or a mailing label for consolidated bill 28. In alternativeembodiments, billing server 230 may, instead of or in addition togenerating consolidated bill 28, charge the total charge to a creditcard or debit card account associated with user 50.

Although FIG. 5 illustrates operation of a particular embodiment ofbilling server 230 that executes a particular series of steps in aparticular order, alternative embodiments of billing server 230 mayperform any, all, or none of these step and may also perform anysuitable additional steps based on the configuration of billing server230 and communication system 10. Furthermore, billing server 230 mayperform any such steps in any suitable order and may repeat steps asappropriate.

Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled inthe art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass suchchanges, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications asfall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of providing communication service, comprising: receivinguser identification information and first communication servicecriteria, wherein the user identification information identifies a user,and wherein the first communication service criteria describe apacket-based communication service requested by the user; generating afirst communication service order based on the first communicationservice criteria, wherein the first communication service order includesthe user identification information and the first communication servicecriteria; selecting premise equipment for the user, the premiseequipment operable to support packet-based communication at a premiseassociated with the user; generating an equipment order, wherein theequipment order includes the user identification information andidentifies the selected premise equipment; transmitting the firstcommunication service order to a first service provider; andtransmitting the equipment order to an equipment provider.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein selecting the premise equipment comprises selectingthe premise equipment for the user based on the first communicationservice criteria.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receivingequipment criteria that describe equipment requested by the user; andwherein selecting the premise equipment comprises selecting the premiseequipment for the user based on the equipment criteria.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first communication service criteria identify afirst type of packet-based communication service and further comprisingselecting the first service provider from a plurality of serviceproviders that provide communication services of the first type.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving second communicationservice criteria that describe a circuit-switched communication servicerequested by the user; generating a second communication service orderbased on the second communication service criteria, wherein the secondcommunication service order includes the user identification informationand the second communication service criteria; and transmitting thesecond communication service order to a second service provider.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first communication service criteriaidentify a first type of packet-based communication service, and furthercomprising: receiving second communication service criteria thatdescribe a second type of packet-based communication service; selectinga second service provider from a plurality of service providers thatprovide communication services of the second type; generating a secondcommunication service order based on the second communication servicecriteria, wherein the second communication service order includes theuser identification information and the second communication servicecriteria; and transmitting the second communication service order to thesecond service provider.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdelivering the premise equipment to the user.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: generating an installation service order thatincludes the user identification information and identifying premiseequipment to be installed; transmitting the installation service orderto an installation service provider.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising delivering the premise equipment to the installation serviceprovider.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communicationservice criteria comprise one of a requested maximum usage, a quality ofservice (QoS) requirement, and a periodic service rate.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first communication service comprises one oftelephone and internet services.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst communication service comprises one of local telephone service,long-distance telephone service, and international telephone service.13. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user identificationinformation, the equipment criteria, and the communication servicecriteria comprises: prompting a user to enter the user identificationinformation and the first communication service criteria using afulfillment interface coupled to a web server; and receiving the useridentification information and the first communication service criteriaat the web server.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the useridentification information, the equipment criteria, and thecommunication service criteria comprises: prompting a user audibly toprovide the user identification information and the first communicationservice criteria using a telephone keypad; and receiving the useridentification information, the equipment criteria, and thecommunication service criteria as part of a telephonic communicationsession.
 15. A system for providing communication service, comprising: afulfillment interface operable to receive information from a user and togenerate a service request that includes user identification informationand first communication service criteria, wherein the useridentification information identifies the user and wherein the firstcommunication service criteria describe a first communication servicerequested by the user; first communication access equipment operated bya communication service provider and operable to support communicationfor premise equipment over a first network and to establish service fora user in response to a service order received by the communicationservice provider; an equipment provider interface operable to receive anequipment order and to facilitate the provision of premise equipmentidentified by the equipment order to the user; and a portal operable to:receive the service request from the fulfillment interface; generate afirst communication service order based on the first communicationservice criteria, wherein the first communication service order includesthe user identification information and the communication servicecriteria; select premise equipment for the user, the premise equipmentoperable to support packet-based communication at a premise associatedwith the user; generate an equipment order, wherein the equipment orderincludes the user identification information and identifies the selectedpremise equipment; transmit the first communication service order to thefirst service provider; and transmit the equipment order to theequipment provider through the equipment provider interface.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the portal is operable to select the premiseequipment by selecting premise equipment for the user based on the firstcommunication service criteria
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein thefulfillment interface is operable to generate a service request thatfurther comprises equipment criteria that describe premise equipmentrequested by the user; and wherein the portal is operable to select thepremise equipment by selecting the premise equipment for the user basedon the equipment criteria.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein: thefirst communication service criteria identify a first type ofpacket-based communication service; the first service provider comprisesone of a plurality of service providers providing communication servicesof the first type; and the portal is further operable to select thefirst service provider from the plurality of service providers thatprovide communication services of the first type.
 19. The system ofclaim 15, further comprising second communication access equipmentoperated by a second communication service provider and operable tosupport circuit-switched communication for premise equipment over asecond network and to establish service for a user in response to aservice order received by the second communication service provider; andwherein the fulfillment interface is operable to generate a servicerequest that further comprises second communication service criteriathat describe a circuit-switched communication service requested by theuser; and wherein the portal is further operable to: generate a secondcommunication service order based on the second communication servicecriteria, wherein the second communication service order includes theuser identification information and the second communication servicecriteria; and transmit the second communication service order to asecond service provider.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the firstcommunication service criteria identify a first type of packet-basedcommunication service, and further comprising second communicationaccess equipment operated by a second communication service provider andoperable to support packet-based communication for premise equipmentover a second network and to establish service for the user in responseto a service order received by the second communication serviceprovider; and wherein the fulfillment interface is operable to generatea service request that further comprises second communication servicecriteria that describe a second type of packet-based communicationservice requested by the user; and wherein the portal is furtheroperable to: transmit the first communication service order to the firstservice provider by selecting the first service provider from aplurality of service providers that provide communication services ofthe first type and transmitting the first communication service order tothe first service provider; select a second service provider from aplurality of service providers that provide communication services ofthe second type; generate a second communication service order based onthe second communication service criteria, wherein the secondcommunication service order includes the user identification informationand the second communication service criteria; and transmit the secondcommunication service order to the second service provider.
 21. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the equipment provider interface is furtheroperable to facilitate the provisioning of the premise equipment to theuser by facilitating delivery of the premise equipment to the user. 22.The system of claim 15, wherein the portal is further operable to:generating an installation service order that includes the useridentification information and identifying premise equipment to beinstalled; transmitting the installation service order to aninstallation service provider.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein theequipment provider interface is further operable to facilitate theprovisioning of the premise equipment to the user by facilitatingdelivery of the premise equipment to the installation service provider.24. The system of claim 15, wherein the first communication servicecriteria comprise one of a requested maximum usage, a quality of service(QoS) requirement, and a periodic service rate.
 25. The system of claim15, wherein the first communication service provider provides one ormore of telephone and internet services.
 26. The system of claim 15,wherein the first communication service provider provides one or more oflocal telephone service, long-distance telephone service, andinternational telephone service.
 27. The system of claim 15, wherein thefulfillment interface is operable to receive information from the userby: prompting a user to enter the user identification information andthe first communication service criteria using a fulfillment interfacecoupled to a web server; and receiving the user identificationinformation and the first communication service criteria at the webserver.
 28. The system of claim 15, wherein the fulfillment interface isoperable to receive information from the user by: prompting a useraudibly to provide the user identification information and the firstcommunication service criteria using a telephone keypad; and receivingthe user identification information, the equipment criteria, and thecommunication service criteria as part of a telephonic communicationsession.
 29. Logic for providing communication service, the logicencoded in media and operable to: receive user identificationinformation and first communication service criteria, wherein the useridentification information identifies a user and wherein the firstcommunication service criteria describe a packet-based communicationservice requested by the user; generate a first communication serviceorder based on the first communication service criteria, wherein thefirst communication service order includes the user identificationinformation and the communication service criteria; select premiseequipment for the user, the premise equipment operable to supportpacket-based communication at a premise associated with the user;generate an equipment order, wherein the equipment order includes theuser identification information and identifies the selected premiseequipment; transmit the first communication service order to a firstservice provider; and transmit the equipment order to an equipmentprovider.
 30. The logic of claim 29, wherein the logic is operable toselect the premise equipment by selecting the premise equipment for theuser based on the first communication service criteria.
 31. The logic ofclaim 29, wherein the logic is operable to receive equipment criteriathat describe equipment requested by the user; and wherein the logic isoperable to select the premise equipment by selecting premise equipmentfor the user based on the equipment criteria.
 32. The logic of claim 29wherein the first communication service criteria identify a first typeof packet-based communication service and wherein the logic is operableto select the first service provider from a plurality of serviceproviders that provide communication services of the first type.
 33. Thelogic of claim 29, wherein the logic is further operable to: receivesecond communication service criteria that describe a secondcommunication service requested by the user; generate a secondcommunication service order based on the second communication servicecriteria, wherein the second communication service order includes theuser identification information and the second communication servicecriteria; and transmit the second communication service order to asecond service provider.
 34. The logic of claim 29, wherein the firstcommunication service criteria identify a first type of packet-basedcommunication service, and wherein the logic is further operable to:transmit the first communication service order by selecting the firstservice provider from a plurality of service providers that providecommunication services of the first type and transmitting the firstcommunication service order to the first service provider; receivesecond communication service criteria that describe a second type ofpacket-based communication service; select a second service providerfrom a plurality of service providers that provide communicationservices of the second type; generate a second communication serviceorder based on the second communication service criteria, wherein thesecond communication service order includes the user identificationinformation and the second communication service criteria; and transmitthe second communication service order to the second service provider.35. The logic of claim 29, wherein the logic is operable to generate anorder for the delivery of the premise equipment to the user.
 36. Thelogic of claim 29, wherein the logic is further operable to: generate aninstallation service order that includes the user identificationinformation and identifying premise equipment to be installed; andtransmit the installation service order to an installation serviceprovider.
 37. The logic of claim 36, wherein the logic is furtheroperable to generate an order for the delivery of the premise equipmentto the installation service provider.
 38. The logic of claim 29, whereinthe first communication service criteria comprise one of a requestedmaximum usage, a quality of service (QoS) requirement, and a periodicservice rate.
 39. The logic of claim 29, wherein the first communicationservice comprises one of telephone and internet access services.
 40. Thelogic of claim 29, wherein the first communication service comprises oneof local telephone service, long-distance telephone service, andinternational telephone service.
 41. The logic of claim 29 wherein thelogic is operable to receive the user identification information and thecommunication service criteria by: prompting a user to enter the useridentification information and the first communication service criteriausing a fulfillment interface coupled to a web server; and receiving theuser identification information and the first communication servicecriteria at the web server.
 42. The logic of claim 29 wherein the logicis operable to receive the user identification information and thecommunication service criteria by: prompting a user audibly to providethe user identification information and the first communication servicecriteria using a telephone keypad; and receiving the user identificationinformation, the equipment criteria, and the communication servicecriteria as part of a telephonic communication session.
 43. A system forproviding communication service, comprising: means for receiving useridentification information and first communication service criteria,wherein the user identification information identifies a user andwherein the first communication service criteria describe a packet-basedcommunication service requested by the user; means for generating afirst communication service order based on the first communicationservice criteria, wherein the first communication service order includesthe user identification information and the first communication servicecriteria; means for selecting premise equipment for the user, thepremise equipment operable to support packet-based communication at apremise associated with the user; means for generating an equipmentorder, wherein the equipment order includes the user identificationinformation and identifies the selected premise equipment; means fortransmitting the first communication service order to a first serviceprovider; and means for transmitting the equipment order to an equipmentprovider.